South Africa

Women in South Africa

Despite 17 years since the end of the apartheid system, South Africa still remains one of the most inequitable countries in the world. High levels of poverty, social exclusion and violence continue to impact most heavily on women.

• 95% of South Africa’s poor are black and the majority of the poor are women
• The poorest households are female headed
• A women is raped every 26 seconds
• One in four women is in an abusive relationship
• Less than 5% of reported rapes end in a conviction

Womankind’s work in South Africa

Womankind has been supporting women in South Africa since the mid 90s. We have built strong partnerships with women’s right organisations, and our programme covers both the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces.

For the last 15 years our work has centered on poverty reduction, HIV and AIDS and eliminating violence against women.

Specifically, in recent years we have worked with partners to tackle:

• domestic violence
• the links between gender-based violence and HIV and AIDS

Find out more about the work we are doing in South Africa

Our Achievements in South Africa

• Over 2,500 women farm workers in the Stellenbosch wine growing area now have their own trades union

• Volunteers have been trained and are providing basic legal advice, counseling services and act as Court Supporters for rape survivors who are entering the criminal justice system